Category Archives: Animals

Cuttlefish Comm Board

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Communicating with animals is something that has interested me for quite some time. Whether it’s dolphins, chimps, seals, elephants, whales or wolves – I am interested in what they have to say.

Not an easy subject to study unless one happens to be an academic or a scientist. However, I have an idea to study animal communication from my garage to a local aquarium.

I plan to learn more about how the cuttlefish communicates. Cuttlefish belong to the class Cephalopoda – same as the octopus, squid, and nautilus.

Cuttlefish communicate primarily with their skin cells. They have specially adapted cells (chromatophores) that can change color, pattern and shape. These displays communicate to other cuttlefish various behaviors – aggression, mating, territory, and more.

Here’s my idea: build a cuttlefish communication/display board that is equipped with a programmable LED display strip. The LED strip can be programmed to simulate known cuttlefish displays (very rudimentary), as well as present new ones to see how the cuttlefish behaves. I am not even sure if it will work?

Where would I test this – at an aquarium with cuttlefish of course. I’d have to obtain permission, but I would wear all dark clothing (less likely to be seen in the background) with the cuttlefish comm board hanging about chest high. The LEDs would be controlled via an app on my phone.

Okay, crazy, but so interesting to really try it.

This is a long-term project. At this time, I have the board cut out and the addressable LED strip.

I am working on obtaining an Arduino kit (microcontroller and software) so I can program using my PC (with help) the LEDs to display in specified colors, patterns, and rates. First, I will emulate known displays and then create some mixed displays.

Once I have a functional prototype, I will contact a couple of local aquariums to set up a demo.

I hope that I can clearly communicate to them what I am trying to do. Do you think that they will understand?

Mid Century Modern Bird Seed Feeder

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I’ve always enjoyed Mid Century modern designs – especially Joseph Eichler period homes.

A friend had shown me a cool mid century modern bird feeder that they saw in a magazine – I decided I’d have a go at it, of course making my own changes.

I designed my seed feeder to sit on top of a wire “squirrel maze” bird feeder I made a few years ago, which is not very attractive. Here is the completed seed feeder.

Materials:

  • Plywood
  • Asphalt shingles
  • Radiator cover grill
  • Orange paint
  • Round wooden dowel
  • Nails

Measurements:

  • Base – 18″ x 11.5″ (all measurements in inches (“)
  • Roof – 23″ x 12.5″
  • Left Side – 7.5″ x 9″
  • Right Side – 6.5″ x 9″
  • Door – 7,25″ x 5.5″

I tried to use mostly leftover scrap for this project. I began with the plywood frame of 4 pieces. You’ll need to decide the angle of the roof. I chose about 18 degrees (I only have a Skill saw) and cut the left and right side wall top edges accordingly. Then I glued and nailed the pieces together.

I made the door out of a piece of leftover pine and cut the top edge at about18 degrees. Then drilled a 1″ hole and added the dowel and paint.

This is the back view of the radiator grill cover cut and installed. I bent the edges of the grill cover material and stapled in place.

Here is the front view, I added some white trim pieces along each edge of the roof for looks.

Finally, I cut and glued on the roof asphalt shakes and also put them on the bottom of the feeder for waterproofing.

I added seed and waited for the birds to arrive. Believe me, it did not take very long!